Maharashtra: Mahayuti’s Success In Assembly Polls Sets Stage For New Government Formation; Pune MLAs Eye Ministerial Roles
Pune, 26th November 2024: The Mahayuti alliance has achieved significant success in the recent Maharashtra Assembly Elections, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerging as the largest party, securing the highest number of seats. As the term of the fourteenth Legislative Assembly comes to a close today, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is preparing to tender his resignation to Governor CP Radhakrishnan, signaling the start of forming a new government.
Among the top developments, three prominent leaders from Pune have already been selected for positions in the new cabinet, while others are vigorously lobbying for inclusion. In total, Mahayuti secured 18 of the 21 seats in Pune city, Pimpri Chinchwad, and the district, leaving only two seats to the Mahavikas Aghadi. The new state government will be led by Mahayuti, and the process for appointing ministers is underway, with BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) making their respective claims for cabinet positions.
The number of winning candidates has grown this year, but the exact count of ministerial posts in the Mahayuti government has not yet been determined. Among the names reportedly fixed for cabinet positions from Pune district are Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Kothrud MLA Chandrakant Patil, and Dilip Walse-Patil.
In addition, there is considerable speculation surrounding other potential candidates for the cabinet. These include Madhuri Misal, the BJP’s four-time MLA from Parvati; Bhimrao Tapkir, MLA from Khadakwasla; Sunil Kamble, MLA from Pune Cantonment; Mahesh Landge, MLA from Bhosari (Pimpri-Chinchwad); and Rahul Kul, MLA from Daund. Misal, being the only woman MLA from Pune, is seen as a strong contender, especially since her name was previously discussed for a ministerial post but later dropped. There is a possibility that she may finally secure a position this time. Sunil Kamble, elected from the reserved Scheduled Caste category, could also be considered for a ministerial role, as his appointment would ensure representation for the community.
Other notable aspirants include Dattatray Bharne, former Minister of State and MLA from NCP’s Ajit Pawar faction in Indapur, and Purandar MLA Vijay Shivtare. Bharne, who defeated former minister Harshvardhan Patil, is in the mix, while Shivtare, a former state minister, is hoping for a return to a key role in the government, especially as Shiv Sena looks to strengthen its presence in Pune district.
As discussions intensify, the final decisions on ministerial appointments will depend on the allocation of posts among the coalition parties. The outcome will determine which MLAs from Pune City, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the district will secure positions in the new government.
